Pennsylvania Fish & Boat agency releases 2026 trout-stocking schedule

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently released its 2026 stocking schedule to distribute about 3.2 million trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes across Pennsylvania.

In addition to trout raised at state fish hatcheries, commission cooperative nurseries operated by sportsmen’s clubs and other groups across the state will add another 1.1 million trout to waters open to public angling throughout the year.

The agency posted its adult trout stocking schedule for 2026 on FishandBoat.com for the public to start planning their fishing season.

“With spring fishing opportunities right around the corner, every angler can benefit from knowing when their favorite stream or lake will be stocked with trout, starting in just a few weeks,” said Brian Niewinski, director of the commission’s Bureau of Hatcheries.

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The trout stocking schedule, the commission noted, is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location.

In 2026, Pennsylvania’s statewide Opening Day of trout season will be April 4. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 28.

Stocking operations are set to begin during the week of Feb. 16. Fishing is not permitted on lakes and streams designated as Stocked Trout Waters from Feb. 16 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season (April 4), with the exception of the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day (March 28), unless waters are included in the Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing program.

This year’s trout-stocking numbers are like past years and include approximately 2.3 million rainbow, 698,000 brown and 128,000 brook trout. The average trout produced for stocking is 11 inches long and has an average weight of slightly more than half a pound.

The Fish & Boat Commission will stock approximately 18,000 golden rainbow trout that have an average weight of 1.5 pounds. Approximately 75% of the goldens are set to be stocked during the preseason.

The commission plans to release about 72,000 trophy-sized brood fish, which are 2½-year-old and 3½-year-old hatchery-raised trout measuring 14 to 20 inches.

Some waters are open to fishing throughout the year, including designated Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters. It’s a program in which sections of 24 streams across the state are stocked with large trout measuring 14 to 20 inches and managed under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only or Miscellaneous Special regulations.

Under the program, approximately 10,000 large trout will be distributed among the streams.

Trout stocking changes

Each year, the Fish & Boat Commission adjusts its adult trout stocking program. Changes for 2026 follow.

Waters added:

• Brush Creek, Beaver County: Located near the town of Hazen, a 2.2-mile section of stream extending from state Route 588 downstream to the lower end of Brush Creek Park. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Freeman Run, Potter County: A 2.9-mile section. The stocking limits will extend from West Branch Freeman Run downstream to the mouth. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Kettle Creek, Clinton County: Located near the town of Westport, a 5.6-mile section of stream extending from Slide Hollow downstream to the mouth. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Lions Lake, Lebanon County: This 7-acre impoundment has been reinstated into the trout stocking program. Stocking was canceled in 2025 due to maintenance and repairs to the dam. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Seven Mountains Boy Scout Pond, Centre County: This 2.5-acre impoundment has been reinstated into the trout stocking program. Stocking was canceled from 2023 through 2025 due to maintenance and repairs to the dam. Trout will be stocked on a preseason only basis.

Waters revised:

• Brokenstraw Creek, Warren County: Due to an increase in landowner posting, the stocking limits have been revised. The revised stocking limits will extend 4.64 miles from the Davey Hill Road bridge downstream to the confluence of Matthews Run. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Bull Creek, Allegheny County: The stocking limits were revised to provide additional angling opportunities for warmwater and cool-water species in the downstream section of Bull Creek. The revised stocking limits will extend 6.23 miles from the Thompson Road bridge in Millerstown downstream to the West 4th Avenue bridge in Tarentum. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• East Branch Clarion River, Elk County: Located near the town of Glen Hazel, a 1.2-mile section of stream extending from 100 meters downstream of East Branch Lake downstream to the State Game Land boundary 1.15 miles downstream of East Branch Lake will now receive a fall season stocking.

• Little Fishing Creek, Columbia County: The stocking limits were extended 0.71 miles downstream. The revised stocking limits will extend 13.21 miles from Talmar Road downstream to the state Route 42 bridge. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Mahoning Creek, Montour County: The stocking limits were extended 0.40 miles upstream. The revised stocking limits will extend 3.53 miles from the intersection of State Route 642 and Bogart Road downstream to the mouth. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Manada Creek, Dauphin County: Due to an increase in landowner posting, the stocking limits have been revised. The revised stocking limits will extend 1.73 miles from the Unnamed Tributary to Manada Creek (river mile [RM] 11.50) downstream to Furnace Road. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• Meshoppen Creek, Wyoming County: Due to an increase in landowner posting, the stocking limits have been revised. The revised stocking limits will extend 2.63 miles from the Jennings Road bridge downstream to Route 29. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.

• North Deer Creek, Mercer County: The stocking limits were revised and will now extend 6.06 miles from the Bortz/Lower Road bridge downstream to the mouth. Trout will be stocked during the preseason and in-season stocking periods.